Drunk teens’ argument leads to clash between two communities in Delhi

A scuffle among a group of drunk teenagers triggered a clash between the Jatav and Valmiki communities in south Delhi’s Asola village near Fatehpur Beri on Friday. Over a dozen people, including policemen, were injured

Cops at Asola village in Delhi where Jatavs and Valmikis clashed on Saturday.

A scuffle among a group of drunk teenagers triggered a clash between the Jatav and Valmiki communities in south Delhi’s Asola village near Fatehpur Beri on Friday. Over a dozen people, including policemen, were injured.

A senior officer said the clash broke at around 7 pm on Friday when a group of teenagers from the two communities started fighting over a minor issue, though it is unclear what they were fighting over. Their argument turned into a fight and elders from both communities joined in.

Within minutes, the area turned into a battle ground. Rioters pelted bricks, stones and bottles at each other. They damaged each others’ properties, said police.

Rioters threw bricks at the local police when they came to control the situation. Two cops suffered minor injuries and a few police vehicles were also damaged. The injured were taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre from where they were discharged after medical attention.

The situation was brought under control by late Friday night, said police.

“A case of rioting has been registered at the Fatehpur Beri police station and efforts are on to identify those who actually triggered the issue and turned it into a riot,” said a senior police officer. He said the two groups had clashed in the past as well. Police detained over two dozen people from both communities.

Cops deployed in the area to prevent further clashes remained at the spot on Saturday as well. Additionally, CRPF personnel were also deployed on Saturday to help the police.

While police are yet to find out the reason for the clash, residents told police that tension erupted over a recently solemnised inter-caste wedding that was opposed by members of both communities.